"History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket."
[Mrs Lintott, "The History Boys" by Alan Bennett]

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Women at Waterloo

With the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo upon us, historical novelist David Ebsworth has written an excellent blog about cantinières and vivandières, the women who supported the Napoleonic army. Click here.It makes one wonder how many other stories are still waiting to be discovered about females on battlefields of past wars. Unfortunately, the English terminology often used for these women is "camp followers", which has gained a somewhat less attractive connotation and doesn't always acknowledge their bravery.Here is another blog original from Military History magazine about women at Waterloo and also a story about the mystery "twins of Waterloo" can be read on my other blog here.

What's The History Bucket?

About Me

The Official Family Portrait

A little worse for wear, but still making a statement

"Regina, freedwoman of Barates, alas!"

Regina lived in the 4th Century AD. She was of the British Catuvellauni, a tribe from the Hertfordshire area, and was sold into slavery. She became the property of Barates of Palmyra (now part of Syria), a merchant of Arbeia, the fort at the Eastern end of Hadrian's Wall (now South Shields). Barates fell in love with her, gave Regina her freedom and married her. Sadly, she died at the age of 30 and, missing her greatly, Barates set up a famous tombstone in her honour. Regina is shown sitting in a high back wicker chair with her jewellery box, spindle and wool. Its inscription is in Latin, but there is also an added mourning line in Aramaic, the language that Barates would have spoken. "Regina, freedwoman of Barates, alas!"